You absolutely must have a proper scarf, if you insist upon tearing around London in an open car and the best place to get it is of course...Liberty of London on Regent street. Don't even think about looking elsewhere. Small and compact, you can easily and quite happily waste an afternoon going from floor to floor. There are only 'lifts' by the way. Don't bother searching for escalators. Libertys is too small for that sort of thing. Do not get the idea that Libertys is oldie worldie. Not at all! Fashion-wise Liberty is absolutementau courant and cool and hip etc. And rather high end. Hats are everywhere, so come prepared.London is keeping Panama in business. How appropriate the teacups are sitting atop hat boxes. There's an entire floor devoted to teacups at Libertys. These are vintage deco and each is a different design. Prices are not all that bad either... How clever of Liberty to display books amidst the cups? There's a slew of 'Ladies' books as well. How-tos for young things so they won't make horrid errors out in society. Titles such as, Don'ts For Gardeners, Never Explain Never Complain Never do Anything Eccentric, Nanny's Wisdom, Etiquette for Coffee Lovers, Ettiquette for Gentlemen, Mangles Mops and Feather Brushes, Why Not Eat Insects etc. are essential if you're going to do the right thing no doubt...

Repettos has kindly collaborated with Liberty using their famous mille fleur prints to create darling yet very comfortable shoes.

And don't forget to stop in Libertys huge bath department on the 3rd floor. Everything and more you could possibly dream of for a lovely, long soothing bath you'll require, once you get home from rushing around town.

Mille fleur showercaps are a must-have while you're enjoying a good soak in the tub...

If you're planning on stepping out in the evening, whatever you do, do not get yourself up like a 'dog's dinner'. There must be a book at Libertys on avoiding such horrors. Of course I am madly busy framing my bits and pieces to hang at the 'Private View' tomorrow. If you're planning on attending, do make sure you tell me.

I have not been to Liberty of London for years and years. My sister used to work for them .. there used to be a branch in Cambridge, not sure if still there.. smaller shop. I think I might just go back for a visit.

Ooops I hadn't noticed Pudding Lane.course after a bit you give up noticing else you're get your knickers in terrible twist..

Do come back to London by all means Anne in Oxford.The weather andt the water is wonderful -off to the pool at the Chelsea Town Hall..only 3.95. Cheaper than a cuppa at Libertys and quite posh to boot!

"Etiquette for Coffee Lovers" and "Tea and Crumpets" and everything else so .... British (oh Justine, you are kidding, aren't you naughty!), and I love it. My girls were dressed in Liberty dresses, those were the times! I get nostalgic for a place I haven't even visited yet.Enjoy! :-)

I have great memories of Liberty's remnants box in the basement...don't suppose it's still there? The things I found. My mother will pass out if I report it's not there any longer but you can tell me (when you've time).

Hello! Firstly I love your blog! Secondly, darling when in London do as the Londoners, have some fish n' chips, or bangers and mash dear. A full English breakfast wouldn't go amiss, hmm...perhaps stick to half-English the first time. Forget all that macron business, we ain't French love :) Thirdly, there's nothing wrong in dressing up like a "dog's dinner", especially on a Friday night out with the girls. Could get you a snog or two you know (wink, wink).

Darling do me a favour and give London my love will ya? Love Venice, but desperately missing home!

*sigh* There is no store in the world more perfect than Liberty. I dream of walking aisle to aisle ,a la Michael Jacksos, saying "I'll take that, and that - are you sure you're getting all this? And 5 of these . . ."

Paris Letters

♥carol gillott♥

l'Ile Saint Louis, Paris, Ile de France, France

Hi I'm Carol Gillott,
My Mom taught me watercolors at 5. I'm still at it, now tripping over cobblestones, living in a 6th-floor garret on l'Ile Saint-Louis, Paris. Read Parisbreakfast with a hot chocolate and croissant.
I paint Paris breakfasts.